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Name of Ship
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Managed By
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Tonnage
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Biørn Biørnstad & Co., Oslo
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3401 gt
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| Built in Malmö, Sweden 1940.
Fruit carrier built by Kockums Mek. Verksted A/B, Malmö (225), launched on March 28-1940 as Pacific Express for Biørn Biørnstad & Co., Oslo. 3401 gt, 1671 net, 4200 tdwt, 368.7' x 52.2' x 25.5', 8 cyl 2 TEV MAN DM (builders), 6000 ihp.
Laid up for the duration of the war.
Picture of Pacific Express - Source: Sverre Johansens postcard collection.
POST WAR: Delivered on Sept. 10-1945 as Pacific Express to Skibs-A/S Seattle (Biørn Biørnstad & Co.), Oslo. Sold in March-1963 to Erling Hansen Rederi A/S and Skibs-A/S Linea (Erling Hansen), Kristiansand and renamed Ranada. Sold in Oct.-1972 to Wan Lung Nav. Co. S/A, Panama, renamed Wan Chun. Drifted ashore off Ijmuiden in a storm on Nov. 13-1972. Sold for breaking up on the spot. Here are some pictures from the incident (from a Dutch newspaper):
Pic 1, Pic 2, Pic 3.
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August Kjerland & Co. A/S, Bergen
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1309 gt
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| Built in Sölvesborg 1922.
See D/S Pan.
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Sigurd Herlofsen & Co. A/S, Oslo
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4200 gt
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| Built in Landskrona, Sweden 1940.
See M/S Panama Express.
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Leif Høegh & Co. A/S, Oslo
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9231 gt
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| Built in Newcastle 1931.
A separate page about Pan Aruba has more information as well as a picture of the ship.
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Leif Høegh & Co. A/S, Oslo
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9468 gt
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| Built in Newcastle 1931.
For more information on this ship and a picture, please see M/T Pan Europe.
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Per Holm, Oslo
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9231 gt
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| Built in Sunderland 1931.
M/T Pan Norway has more information, including crew list at the time of loss.
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Leif Høegh & Co. A/S, Oslo
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9816 gt
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| Built in Newcastle 1931.
Please continue to M/T Pan Scandia.
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A/S J. Ludwig Mowinckels Rederi, Bergen
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3986 gt
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| Built in Rotterdam 1921. Previous name: San Paulo until 1922.
Read more about M/S Para and some of her war voyages.
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T. B Torgersen, Oslo
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1920 gt
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| Built in Sunderland 1932. Previous names: Anatolian until 1933, Grande Terre (French), sold to Norway in 1939 and renamed Pasat.
SOLD to Japan? Renamed Koa Maru in 1940. Torpedoed by the American submarine USS Porpoise on Apr. 4-1943 and sunk, position 13 11N 161 57E.
NOTE: The Koa Maru that was sunk by Porpoise is referred to as a "Japanese whaling ship" by Robert Cressman in "The Official Chronology of the U.S. Navy in World War II". He gives the position for her sinking as 13 10N 162 05E, near Eniwetok atoll (Marshall Islands). This ship is listed as 2023 gt in other sources, so it's possible she had been rebuilt by the Japanese (to whaling ship), or it might be another ship altogether(?).
Related external link:
Porpoise (SS-172) - from DANFS - Submarines, The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting ships.
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Oluf Skjeldbred Knudsen, Kristiansand
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1341 gt
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| Built in Kristiansand 1939.
One of the 26 Norwegian ships interned in North and West Africa 1940-1942. See my page about D/S Patria.
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Pe - Pl
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Hans H. Torgersen & Co. A/S, Tønsberg
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6099 gt
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| Built in Newcastle 1930.
Please see M/T Peik.
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- Pelagos NS *? (if so, raised)
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Bruun & von der Lippe, Tønsberg
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12 084 gt
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| Built in Belfast 1901. Previous name: Athenic 1928.
Continue to a separate page about Pelagos for more details, incl. pre war history (and a picture). Also, see my section on the Norwegian Victims of Pinguin which, among other info, has a crew list for Pelagos.
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I. M. Skaugen, Oslo
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8324 gt
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| Built in Gothenburg 1936.
Please follow this link to M/T Pericles for more information, incl. crew list.
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Nortraship
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274 gt
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| Built Weymouth, Nova Scotia 1940. Previous name: Celeste M until 1944.
1 of 10 ships transferred to the Norwegian flag in 1944. See my page "Ship Statistics & Misc." under "gains" 1944 for a list of all 10. Peter S was taken over at New York on March 15.
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Jørgen P. Jensen, Arendal
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9109 gt
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| Built in Copenhagen 1935.
See M/T Petter for more information and a picture of the ship.
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Jørgen P. Jensen, Arendal
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7417 gt
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| Built Newcastle 1922. Previous name: Scottish Castle until 1937.
Please continue to D/T Petter II.
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A. F. Klaveness & Co. A/S, Oslo
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4349 gt
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| Built in Copenhagen 1929.
More information on this ship and her final fate as well as crew list can be found on my page M/S Pleasantville.
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B. Stolt-Nilsen & Sønner A/S, Haugesund
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1598 gt
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| Built in Bergen 1918. Previous name: Røvær until 1922.
Info on her final fate is availabe at D/S Pluto - also has a picture.
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- Pol I, II, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX*, X NS
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Melsom & Melsom, Larvik
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205 - 354 gt
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| Whale catchers.
Please go to my page about the Pol whale catchers for more information.
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Martin Karlsen, Ålesund
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324 gt
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| Built in Narvik 1919.
Seal catcher. Capain Kristoffer Mikal Marø.
She's mentioned among the ships leaving Halifax to form the slow Convoy SC 81 on Apr. 23-1942, however, she's not listed in the Advance Sailing Telegram for this convoy, so it looks like she left port that day for other reasons. In fact, the first external website that I've linked to below has her leaving Halifax for St. John's on Apr. 23-1942 in Convoy LC 8, arriving St. John's on Apr. 25.
She was in American service to Greenland and Labrador. Again, see the external site below, which has her in a couple of convoys from St. John's to Greenland and back in 1943 and 1944.
Polarbjørn is said to have rescued 3 American pilots east of Greenland in 1944 - no further details.
Related external links:
Misc. convoys - By clicking on "Ship Search", using "Polarbjorn" as keyword, some of her convoy voyages will come up. Here is LC 8, mentioned above.
For info, Polarbjørn is mentioned on several pages at this external website. On this page in connection with an inspection of a weather station at Cape Adelaer in Sept.-1944, on this page in connection with an inspection of the weather station at Skjoldungen, also in Sept.-1944, as well as on this page, and this one. (Note that the site also has information on air crashes).
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Alb. Hovland, Ålesund
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Abt. 178 gt
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| Built at Sagvåg, Stord 1914.
M/S Polaris has more details on this seal catcher, w/final fate and crew list.
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Rich. Amlie & Sverre Amlie, Haugesund
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1591 gt
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| Built in Bergen, Norway, delivered in Oct.-1923.
D/S Polarland has more information (w/crew list).
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Melsom & Melsom, Larvik
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10 022 gt
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| Built in Glasgow 1939.
I've assembled quite a bit of information on Polarsol's voyages on a separate page - please go to M/T Polarsol.
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Melsom & Melsom, Larvik
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6536 gt
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| Built in Glasgow 1930.
An account on Polartank's war voyages can be found at M/T Polartank - also has a picture of the ship.
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Det Bergenske Dampskibsselskab, Bergen
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1676 gt
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| Built in Helsingør 1921. Previous name: Gulfaxe until 1922.
See D/S Pollux (includes details on all her war voyages).
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Bucha Godager & Co., Oslo
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2267 gt
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| Built in Toronto, Ontario 1919. Previous names: Canadian Signaller until 1925, Emperor of Halifax until 1929, Skjoldheim until 1940?
See my page about D/S Polyana (includes crew list).
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Einar Rasmussen, Kristiansand
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8267 gt
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| Built in Gothenburg 1939.
Captain Charles Rasmussen. A story by Peder Kristoffer Langeland, who served on this ship from Oct.-1942 till July-1943 (text in Norwegian only) states this ship was on charter to the U.S. Navy, and travelled mainly between Trinidad and Portland Maine/the Gulf with gasoline. He adds that the captain was the brother of Einar Rasmussen and often had his wife on board with him, as she lived in New York.
More information on her war voyages will be added. See also the first external website that I've linked to below.
POST WAR: Broken up in 1962-63.
Related external links:
Misc. convoys - By clicking on "Ship Search", using "Polycastle" as keyword, several convoy voyages will come up.
1 who died on board - Oiler Arvid Georg Schei is commemorated, listed as having died after an accident on board on Dec. 20-1941.
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Einar Rasmussen, Kristiansand
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6405 gt
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Built in Gothenburg 1931. Previous name: Fanny Høegh until 1936.
M/T Polykarp has more information on the fate of this ship - includes a picture and crew list.
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| D/S Port Antonio NS * |
L. Harboe Jensen & Co., Oslo
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1266 gt
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| Built in Fevig, Norway 1913.
Please follow this link to D/S Port Antonio for information on her final fate and a crew list at the time.
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Corvette
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925 displ. t.
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| Built in Renfrew, Scotland, launched Dec. 18-1941, completed 1942.
Additional details can be found on my separate page about Potentilla - includes and acccount on the passage of Convoy SC 104, and several related links that lead to much more information.
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Pr
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- M/T President de Vogue NS
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Sigvald Bergesen d.y. & Co., Stavanger
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9320 gt
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| Built in Odense, Denmark 1935.
More information is available at M/T President de Vogue.
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- M/T President Herrenschmidt NS * later raised
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Sigvald Bergesen, Stavanger
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9103 gt
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| Built in Malmö, Sweden 1932.
One of the 26 Norwegian ships interned in North and West Africa 1940-1942 - see Interned Ships for a list of all 26.
As will be seen there's quite a bit of conflicting dates and info to choose from with regard to this ship. According to "Sjømann - lang vakt" (Book 3 of "Handelsflåten i krig") by Guri Hjeltnes she had a crew of 36 Norwegians, 2 died, 18 escaped, 9 went home. She says the ship was sent from Oran to Martigues near Marseilles, as the only Norwegian ship to be sent to a port in France. 23 of the crew were interned on board the ship S/S Asie in Marseilles. J. R. Hegland's "Nortraships flåte" has it the other way around, saying she was interned on June 24-1940, possibly in Marseilles and later moved to Oran, then requisitioned Sept. 9-1943. A French visitor to my site has told me that she sailed from Casablanca in Convoy 12-K under French escort on June 23-1940 and was at Oran on June 25. "Sjøforklaringer fra 2. verdenskrig" says she was retained in Oran ca. June 24-1940, moved to L'Etang de Berre on July 18-1940, seized by Vichy French authorities on June 21-1941, reported in Marseilles harbour in Nov.-1942. Birger Dannevig's "Skip og menn" says she was seized by the Vichy French on June 21-1941, sunk in Naples May 30-1943. Roger Jordan's "The World's Merchant Fleets" says she was seized in Oran June 22-1940 by he Germans (this can't be right?), sailed with the name Toni II (probably incorrect), torpedoed by the British submarine HMS Tribune March 22-1943, 39 14N 15 59E and towed to Naples, bombed by allied aircraft May 30-1943, burnt out, Naples, scuttled in Naples Sept. 9-1943. A visitor to my website, Platon Alexiades, Canada, who has her war diary from the National Archives (Washington) confirms that she still had the name President Herrenschmidt when she was torpedoed, adding that she was hit astern in 39 02N 16 00E and taken in tow by the Italian torpedoboat Sirio (her escort) and later by tugs Salvatore Primo and Athleto back to Naples.
POST WAR: Raised in 1946 and repaired. Sold in 1948 and renamed Vampa (Italian). Laid up at Genoa from Aug. 6-1960. Sold by Citom-Sorsma Navigazione Ricuperi e Salvataggi SpA to Ilva-Alta Forni Acciaieri d'Italia, Genoa, during Sept.-1960, to be broken up.
Related external link:
HMS Tribune - Uboat.net's info for this sub.
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S. Holter Sørensen, Oslo
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4414 gt
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| Built in Copenhagen 1925. Previous names: Primero until 1928, Sud Argentino until 1930.
More information on this ship is available at M/S Primero. Includes details on her loss and a crew list at the time.
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Kjell Bruusgaard, Oslo
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1840 gt
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| Built in Middlesbrough 1930.
See D/S Primo.
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Wahl & Co.
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1024 gt
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| Built at Heusden, Netherlands 1918.
According to Jürgen Rohwer this ship was torpedoed and sunk in the afternoon of Dec. 4-1939 by U-31 (Habekost), position 57 15N 01 50E. Jan-Olof, Sweden has told me that "Lloyd's War Losses, Vol. I" indicates she was on a voyage from Oslo to U.K., and agrees with Rohwer's date and position. Charles Hocking also places this incident on Dec. 4, saying she was sunk by mine or torpedo about 120 miles east of Stonehaven (this is just outside the city of Aberdeen, Scotland), voyage from Oslo to England.
Jan-Olof has also sent me a Swedish newspaper article (from Swedish archives) stating that the ship was believed to have struck a mine, and that out of a complement of 15, 7 had been rescued from a raft by a Danish vessel shortly after the sinking and landed in Methil, while the remaining 8 were still missing. 3 of the rescued survivors were injured, but not seriously. Among the missing men was Captain Eivind Wang, the 1st mate and the chief Engineer. This external website adds that the rescuer was the Danish Wm. Th. Malling (scroll down to Dec. 4 on the site).
Related external links:
Casualties - The following 7 are commemorated at this memorial in Stavern, Norway:
Captain Eivin Christian Wang, Steward Jens Eivind Bentzen, Mate Leif Henrik Foss, Stoker Anker Marensius Kjønniksen, 1st Mate Axel Hjalmar Strømberg, Ordinary Seaman Hans Nikolai Svendsen, and Chief Engineer Ørnulf Sørlie. The Norwegian text says that Primula was in ballast FROM Gt. Britain to Oslo, when she struck a mine on Dec. 3-1939 in the North Sea, position 57 12N 01 50E. She broke in two and sank in 2 minutes. 2 lifeboats were destroyed in the explosion and the motor boat got stuck. Out of the 15 on board 8 died. The remaining 7, 3 of whom were injured managed to find a raft, and were rescued and taken to Methil, Scotland.
U-31
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Moltzau & Christensen, Oslo
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2988 gt
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| Built in Copenhagen, Denmark 1939.
Launched by Burmeister & Wain, Copenhagen (647) on March 23-1939 as Prinsdal for A/S Rendal (Moltzau & Christensen), Oslo
SOLD IN Apr.-1939 to Harald Schuldt & Co., Hamburg, Germany before completion and delivered in June that year as Ahrensburg. According to R. W. Jordan's "The World's Merchant Fleets" she was used by the Kriegsmarine as U-boat target ship at Wesermünde from Dec.-1939. Transferred to Gotenhafen on May 9-1940, then to Memel in 1943. Transferred to Norway on May 21-1944, to Danzig on Oct. 1 that same year. Awarded as war reparation to the Norwegian State in Sept.-1945, renamed Asnes in 1946, managed by Kornelius Olsen, Stavanger, then renamed Thornes that same year for A/S Thor Dahl, Sandefjord, Mona Lisa in 1947 for A/S Titchfield (Alf Torgersen), Oslo. Sold to Italy in 1956, renamed Somalia. Sold in 1965 to Taiwan and renamed Chengchang, then Chung Thai in 1966 (Panama). Sold for breaking up in Nov.1968.
(I realize this was not a Norwegian ship during the war, but since the title of this website is "Norwegian Merchant Fleet 1939-1945" I have included ships from the start of 1939 as well).
Other ships by this name: A/S Moltzaus Tankrederi (Moltzau & Christensen), Oslo had another Prinsdal after the war, delivered as such in Jan.-1949, built in Sweden, 3226 gt. Sold to owners in Genoa in 1951 and renamed Giuliana Fassia. Broken up in 1970. Another Prinsdal was delivered to the company in 1958, bilt in France, 9999 gt. Sold and renamed Lilliana in 1967 (Monrovia), became Panamanian Sanil in 1981.
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Nortraship
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7244 gt
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| Built Sunderland 1942. Previous name: Launched as Empire Field on Sept. 23-1941, completed Jan.-1942.
One of 19 ships transferred to Nortraship in 1942. Please continue to M/S Prins Harald for more information on this ship and her loss (w/crew list).
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Det Nordenfjeldske Dampskibsselskab, Trondheim
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2147 gt
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| Built in Glasgow 1907. Previous name: Alexandra until 1925.
A separate page about D/S Prins Olav has the history of this ship, as well as details on her loss and a crew list at the time.
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Jacob Odland S. S., Haugesund
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1171 gt
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| Built in Christiania 1905.
Pre war history: Delivered in Nov.-1905 from Nylands Verksted, Christiania as Produce to D/S A/S Produce (Hans Kiær & Co.), Drammen, 1171 gt, 743 net, 1686 tdwt, 225' x 33.7' x 19', Triple exp. 139 nhp (by yard). Company sold to H. M. Wrangell & Co. A/S, Haugesund in Oct.-1917, ship and company transferred to Jacob Odland S. S. in Jan.-1938. ("Våre gamle skip").
WW II: Wrecked on North Reef, Parcel Islands on Apr. 3-1940 on a voyage Hong Kong-Bangkok. She broke up rapidly as she was in a very exposed position ("Dictionary of Disasters at Sea during the Age of Steam 1824-1962", by Charles Hocking). I assume she was a total loss, but have found no further information on her final fate, nor that of her crew.
Other ships by this name: The company later had another ship by this name, launched as Bruneck for Deutsche Schiffahrts Ges. Hansa, Bremen on Aug. 28-1944, delivered as Produce to D/S A/S Produce (Jacob Odland S. S.) in May-1946. A 2752 gt shelterdecker, built at Gävle, Sweden. Sold in Dec.-1960 to D/S A/S Falkeid (Th. Nordbø jr.), Haugesund and renamed Dana. From May-1968 she sailed as Heaven Dragon of Hong Kong, then in 1969 as Ocean Star under Somalian flag. Damaged by fire while in Manilla on Dec.-28-1971, sold "as is" in 1972 and renamed Ocean Trader, arrived Kaohsiung, Taiwan on Jan. 16-1973 for breaking up. ("Våre gamle skip"). The company must have had yet another ship by this name, ex Thorsaga - see a message in my Guestbook.
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Jacob Odland S. S., Haugesund
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1608 gt
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| Built in Bergen 1918. Previous name: Utsire until 1926.
D/S Profit has more info on the ship, as well as details on her final fate (and a picture).
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Jacob Odland S. S., Haugesund
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2232 gt
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| Built in Kowloon, Hong Kong 1919.
Continue to D/S Prominent for more information on this ship and her final fate.
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Jacob Odland S. S., Haugesund
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1291 gt
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| Built at Papendrecht 1920. Previous name: Gitterø until 1926.
Pre war: Delivered in Aug.-1920 as Gitterø from N.V. Scheepswerf Julina, Papendrecht to D/S A/S John K. Haaland, Haugesund. 1291 gt, 726 net, 2062 tdwt, 236.3' x 36.2' x 15.9', Triple exp. 158 nhp (Schw. & Maschf.). Purchased in Oct.-1926 by D/S A/S Produce (H. M. Wrangell & Co. A/S) and renamed Promise. Managed by Jacob Odland S. S., Haugesund. from Jan.-1938.
WW II: I've found a little snippet of information saying that she was in Calcutta in June-1941 (ref. text for Ida Bakke).
According to the external website that I've linked to below, she took part in Convoy KMS 14X, which departed Gibraltar on May 17-1943 and arrived Alexandria on the 26th. Promise, however, was bound for Benghazi, where she arrived on May 25, having started out in Tripoli on May 22. The same site has also included her in several XT convoys (Alexandria-Tripoli, Libya) and a couple of TX convoys (Tripoli, Libya-Alexandria).
George Monk, England has told me that Captain Lars Meling received a British "Commendation" - his source: Seedies List of awards to the British Merchant Navy which includes awards to Allied merchant seamen.
POST WAR: Sailed as Molly from March-1951 for Far Eastern & Panama Transport Corp., Hong Kong. Broken up in 1959 as Ktung Gi of Pusan. (All details from "Våre gamle skip" by Leif M. Bjørkelund and E. H. Kongshavn).
Related external link:
Misc. convoys - By clicking on "Ship Search", using "Promise" as keyword, some of her convoy voyages will come up - scroll down almost to the end of the page to "Shorter convoy series". Here is KMS 14X, mentioned above.
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Jacob Odland S. S., Haugesund
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2201 gt
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| Built in Holland 1921. Previous name: Lombardia until 1923.
See D/S Pronto.
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Jacob Odland S. S., Haugesund
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2232 gt
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| Built in Kowloon, Hong Kong 1917.
Pre war: Delivered in Dec.-1917 from Hong Kong Wampoa Dock Co. Ltd., Hong Kong as Prosper to D/S A/S Produce (H. M. Wrangell & Co. A/S), Haugesund. 2232 gt, 1376 net, 3030 tdwt, 270.6' x 40.1' x 19.4', Triple exp. (by builder). In service to East Asia. Transferred to Jacob Odland S.S. in Jan.-1938.
WW II: Prosper made voyages to Trinidad, New York, Cristobal, Key West etc. More WW II voyage information will be added. See also the external link below.
POST WAR: Sold in Jan.-1959 to Nogow Hock Co. Ltd., Bangkok, broken up in 1960 (from "Våre gamle skip").
Related external link:
Misc. convoys - By clicking on "Ship Search", using "Prosper" as keyword, several convoy voyages will come up.
H. Westfal Larsen had had a D/S Prosper III from 1915, built 1912, 4297 gt - struck a mine and sank in the Bay of Biscay on June 4-1916, voyage Newport News-France with railroad tracks - 1 survived, 29 died.
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Jacob Odland S. S., Haugesund
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1679 gt
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| Built in Sunderland 1902.
Pre war ("Våre gamle skip"): Delivered in June-1902 from John Crown Shipbuilding Co., Sunderland as Proteus to Hans Kiær & Co., Drammen. Tonnages given as 1678 gt, 1024 net, 2775 tdwt, 260' x 36.8' x 20', Triple exp. 163 nhp (N.East. Mar. Eng. Co. Ltd.). The Produce company (owned by H. Kiær) was sold to H. M. Wrangell & Co. in Oct.-1917, registered in Haugesund, then transferred to Jacob Odland S.S. in Jan.-1938.
WW II: Captain Anton Bugge. On March 2-1942 the Dutch authorities in Batavia gave the order for all ships remaining in the harbour to be scuttled to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Japanese (see Prominent above for background history). The officers performed the task themselves, but afterwards they found themselves unable to leave the city, and were consequently taken prisoners when the Japanese arrived. They were interned until Sept.-1945. 2nd Engineer Olav Larsen died of Malaria on Oct. 3-1942 (in Hong Kong), and 1st Mate Olav Nøkling also died as a result of illness on Dec. 18-1943. See also the names under Proteus on my page Merchant Marine Prisoners of War.
The Norwegian ships Tunni and Bordvik were also sunk by their own crews at Sourabaya, while D/S Mosna got out at the last minute and sailed unharmed through the rest of the war.
Related external link:
The 2 who died - This memorial also lists a Norwegian casualty on a Canadian ship by this name.
Charles Hocking lists a Canadian steamship by this name, built 1913, 10 653 gt - lost without trace after having departed St. Thomas on Nov. 23-1941 for Portland Me. with cargo of bauxite.
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Ivar Austad, Tromsø
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209 (214?) gt
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| Built in Risør 1917.
More information is available by following this link to M/S Quest.
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| Can't find the ship you're looking for? Check out |
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or the Master Ship Index, link below. |
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D/S Ringulv's Story:
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